Keeping Busy with Hobbies
Painting
After my son passed away, I knew I had to keep myself busy somehow so I decided to paint. This is the piece I completed in the last few years. I feel amazing when I paint and I really enjoy it. Typically, I paint sceneries, flowers, and trees. In these images, I see a reflection of my childhood memories. I see a reflection of the turmeric tree in the backyard, my mother watering the plants, and my sister and I fighting in the corner over who gets the swing. My mind almost seems to be diverted elsewhere while my hands are moving across the canvas; I seem to forget everything. I simply try to live in the moment.
Gardening
Looking back at my childhood, one of the things I remember is how we used to have an extensive yard where my mother planted all kinds of vegetables, fruits, and flowers. She used to get up at sunrise to perform her daily prayers, then sit down and prepare a quick breakfast for herself with some green tea before heading out to the garden. I often find myself thinking of my mother when planting, especially when it comes to roses and jasmine. Planting became a way of keeping myself busy and carrying on my mother’s legacy. It gives me inner satisfaction because I always loved plants and flowers.
Knitting
All businesses were closed as a result of the lockdown when the COVID-19 epidemic hit in full force. I used to knit here and there, so I knew I had a lot of yarn. During the pandemic I picked up the needle and the yarn when I was home, and I would knit for hours. I always wondered why I spent so much of my time to volunteering and helping the community but so little to taking care of myself. Most of my completed pieces, I donate to the hospital or give as presents to my family. I knit for young girls and make baby blankets for the kids. For each of the grandchildren who get married or engaged, I make them a shawl to put over their shoulders.
Sewing
One of my favourite hobbies to do is stitch. I began to stitch when my daughter was younger, I started to learn how to sow first and I began making clothing for my daughter to wear. I love to sew and to me it is a place where I can be creatives and make different accessories with the use of different fabrics and textures. The sewing machine is something I always keep with me. I work quietly for at least two to three hours in the basement sewing everyday without interruption.
